JBS trims down workforce in Brazil

JBS has laid off 742 workers from three plants located in Sao Paulo state as part of a continuous drive for efficiency and factory modernisation.

The laid-off is not because of falling export demand or the closing of facilities, the company said.

Brazil's beef industry has been negatively impacted by the global financial crisis and decline of exports to Europe and Asia.

Last week, JBS said it had expanded its slaughtering and deboning capacity in Brazil by about 25 percent by leasing five more plants in Mato Grosso state. As a result, the company plans to hire 3,000 workers for these plants.